A SIGN

I thought he meant his own generation and that he condemned it ... but this was misremembrance ... he meant what he said ... the generation that wanted a sign ... any generation ... but he didn't condemn it ... he did say they would receive no sign ... that I remembered ... so I thought they were condemned ... how could they wicked and corrupt survive if they received no sign ... well the truth of course some of you already know comes in the next word and the phrase that follows it and both before the end of the same sentence ... for the next word is the one that always opens the door for the rest of us ... the word I've learned to fear and adore ... except ... and the phrase that follows it is the sign ... the sign meant to save us all ... the sign of jonah ... which the master if he taught junior high might with occasional and good-homored impatience roll his eyes and explain by asking have you forgotten so soon ... it was just four short chapters ago we spoke of this sign ... only two fast millenia back and all the world speeding on since ... ignoring the sign ... buried ... once ... in the heart of the earth

matthew 16:4